YOU’LL BE SURPRISED BY THESE FACTS ABOUT ARTHRITIS

Wed May 15, 2013

May is National Arthritis Month and the DuPage County Health Department would like County residents to be aware of the surprising facts surrounding this common disease, which can be costly and painful.

Arthritis is the nation's leading cause of disability, affecting one if five adults. Arthritis is an umbrella term for more than 100 joint diseases that can affect the entire body, including organs.

Here are some of the myths and facts surrounding arthritis:

Myth: Arthritis is a disease associated with aging. Fact: Arthritis can affect people of all ages. Two-thirds of people with arthritis are under the age of 65 and some of the most serious forms of arthritis occur in teenagers or people in their 20s and 30s.

Myth: Only old people get arthritis. Fact: Children get arthritis, too. Nearly 300,000 children are affected by arthritis.

Myth: Arthritis is just aches and pains. Fact: Arthritis is a more frequent cause of activity limitation than heart disease, cancer or diabetes and causes work limitations for nearly one in three people in the U.S.

Myth: Cold weather makes arthritis worse. Fact: There is no scientific evidence that a particular climate is better for people with arthritis, but changes in barometric pressure, often associated with inclement weather, may affect people with arthritis.

Myth: There is nothing I can do about arthritis. I just have to "live with it." Fact: Early diagnosis and management can prevent the long term pain and disability seen with many kinds of arthritis.

For more information on the DuPage County Health Department, follow us on Twitter @DuPageHD or become a fan on Facebook.